A Christmas favorite returns

Comment

By Patrick Stout

The McDonough County Voice

By Patrick Stout

Posted Dec. 20, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Patrick Stout

Posted Dec. 20, 2013 at 6:00 AM

NBC has announced that it will be running the Christmas classic "It's A Wonderful Life" tonight at 7 p.m., and then again on Christmas Eve at 7. I selected this program as my favorite Christmas special for a church advent booklet, and then this week won a prize in Galesburg for knowing that the show's lead character is George Bailey.

In a rare turn of events, this 1946 film starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed became more successful years later on television than it ever was in the movie theaters. NBC eventually obtained exclusive rights to “It’s A Wonderful Life” and shows it annually during the Christmas season.

Even though I own a DVD copy of the show, I try to make time each year to watch the NBC broadcast. Despite technologies that allow for a lone wolf time displacement attitude, I still treasure the shared experience that was once the hallmark of television and radio broadcasting.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” remains one of the American Film Institute’s top 100 films of all time. It tells the story of building and loan executive George Bailey and all the lives he impacted in the town of Bedford Falls. Specifically, the Frank Capra film focuses on one Christmas Eve where George’s faith was tested.

The film begins with a starry panorama indicative of heaven. “A lot of people are praying for a man named George Bailey,” says the voice of St. Peter. “I guess we’ll have to send someone down.”

Apprentice angel Clarence Odbody is sent down to answer the prayers. He finds George despondent over the accidental loss of deposits to the Bailey Building and Loan. George is on the brink of committing suicide.

Clarence decides to let George experience what life would have been like in Bedford Falls if there had been no George Bailey.

When my son John would come in at Christmas and see me crying in front of the television set, he knew I was watching “It’s A Wonderful Life.” The movie is a well-made testament to the fact that one person can make a difference.

Patrick Stout is a columnist and reporter for the McDonough County Voice. He can be reached at pstout@McDonoughVoice.com.